Savannah-Chatham police and the FBI are teaming together to fight gang activity and violent crime in the Savannah area.
Interim Police Chief Julie Tolbert has accepted the FBI’s invitation to assign officers to the Southeast Georgia Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force to focus on violence by organized neighborhood groups and violent crime in general, said Julian Miller, police spokesman.
Members of the team are provided clearance and full access to FBI databases for information on crimes and criminals, as well as federal resources. They also are deputized as federal agents with authority to act nationwide, are provided additional training and exposure to complex investigative techniques.
The Task Force targets gang violence, organized robbery activity, firearms violations, interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, human trafficking and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act violations. The Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team and Pooler Police Department also have committed. Ten similar task forces already operate in Georgia, Miller said.
“This relationship will provide additional resources and information to address one of the most significant issues we face in Savannah, organized neighborhood groups,” said Tolbert.
“These loosely organized groups too often lead to criminal activity that holds law-abiding members of the neighborhood hostage. We’ve seen multiple examples of this activity from drug sales to fights, shootings and homicides. Task forces such as this serve as force multipliers, and we must use every resource available to address these issues.”
The Safe Streets Task Force provides sophisticated investigative techniques normally associated with complex organized crime and racketeering investigations. At least 195 Safe Streets Gang and Violent Crime Task Forces have been formed in cities and regions across the U.S.
The FBI initiated the program to enhance the relationship with area law enforcement agencies. While Metro and the FBI already have a strong affiliation, Tolbert expects this additional cooperation will help make a difference in her jurisdiction.
The FBI provides overtime funds, permanently assigned vehicles and operational expenses, as well as inclusion in its own violent crimes investigations.
Savannah police prep for Veterans Day
Savannah-Chatham police are gearing up for large crowds expected in Downtown Savannah for Monday’s Veterans Day festivities, said police spokeswoman Eunicia Baker.
From 10 a.m. until about 1 p.m. Monday metro will close roads along the parade route. This includes: Abercorn and Hall streets to Liberty Street, from Liberty to Montgomery Street, from Montgomery to Broughton Street, and from Broughton Street to East Broad Street. The parade will disband on East Broad Street just south of Broughton.
Throughout the day, Downtown Savannah visitors can expect increased officer presence. Metro anticipates high volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Guests are urged securely lock vehicles and hide valuables.
For event updates and alerts, follow metro police on Twitter @SCMPD.
CNT, Pooler police bust man with drugs, stolen Rolex and guns
Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team agents working with Pooler police Wednesday arrested a Savannah man who was in possession of 19 stolen guns, drugs and other stolen items.
Breyon “Breezy” Gibbs, 21, was charged with numerous felony charges including 19 counts of theft by receiving stolen property firearms, trafficking cocaine, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after he was captured during a search warrant execution in the 1900 block of East DeRenne Avenue, said CNT Agent Gene Harley, the agency’s spokesman.
Pooler police initially launched the investigation with CNT following a burglary in their city in which many valuable items including a Rolex watch were stolen, Harley said.
The investigation led agents to the Savannah location where Gibbs was apprehended.
Investigators also found the weapons, cocaine and marijuana worth about $4,500, the watch, and items typically used to distribute narcotics, Harley said.
“Pooler Police thanks CNT for its assistance in this investigation,” said Pooler Police Chief Mark Revenew. “Working partnerships like this show how sharing of information can help solve crimes. It’s important to work together to help make the streets of Pooler and surrounding municipalities safer for our residents.”
Gibbs remains jailed in the Chatham County jail.
Compiled by Katie Martin and Corey Dickstein